Competition news

REVIEW: DEPORTIVO 2 – SPORTING 1 (LIGA)

02 Oct 2016Drama at the Riazor with Depor picking the second victory on the season with a last-minute goal by Ryan Babel. The Galicians were the better team, but the game was tied for the major part of the second half.

BEFORE THE GAMECoach Gaizka Garitano presented the expected 4-2-3-1 lineup with the novelty of Fernando Navarro performing on the left side of the defence. German Lux was the starting goalie, Juanfran Moreno covered the right side, while Sidnei Rechel returned and joined Raúl Albentosa at the central positions.

Celso Borges and Pedro Mosquera were the centre midfielders, Bruno Gama attacked from the right wing, Colombian Marlos Moreno did it from the left, Emre Çolak was the playmaker and Florin Andone was the centre forward.

At Sporting Gijón, coach Abelardo wasn’t able to count with Fernando Amorebieta after suffering a knock in the last training, therefore Jean-Sylvain Babin joined Jorge Mere at the central positions in defence. Duje Čop, Dani Ndi and Jorge Franco ‘Burgui’ were the references in attack.

Photo: La Liga

FIRST HALFGood first part for Deportivo though only enjoying of three chances to score. Sporting Gijón played on the counterattack, but the defensive line was solid, while Çolak enlighten the way in attack.

The pace was good at the beginning; Depor had the first approximation through a solo play of Marlos Moreno that allowed Çolak to attempt from the edge of the area, but the ball went over the crossbar (3’). Three minutes later Andone didn’t head the ball properly after a cross from Çolak.

The game was equal as Sporting was releasing quick attacks, but the opportunities were for Depor. At minute 11, Albentosa was close to score after heading backwards a corner of Çolak and visiting goalie Cuéllar made the save sending the ball over the bar. At minute 18, it was Albentosa the one heading the ball out after a cross from the left.

At this point Depor were already looking better. Mainly thanks to Çolak, who was having a new show with his skills with the ball and especially dribbling the rivals (he was fouled four times in this half before the desperation of the rival), but the fact was that Depor were lacking punch to take advantage of the situation. It neither helped the ineffective crosses sent by both sides.

But despite the problems Depor were able to break the deadlock in a set-piece. Çolak was fouled at the right side of the area, the Turkish sent the cross in the free-kick an Celso Borges connected the ball at the penalty spot, it hit a rival and then the ball returned to the midfielder, who this time crossed Cuellar with a low attempt. The locals continued dominated the game in the final fifteen minutes, but they were unable to create more opportunities.

Photo: La Liga

SECOND HALFThere was a sense of Déjà vu at the Riazor as Sporting tied the game, but Deportivo pushed strongly in the final minutes to end conquering a dramatic win with a last-minute goal. Babel was the hero with Çolak been the best player for the locals.

The second half started with the first shot on target for the visiting side. It was an easy attempt of Victor Rodríguez that was blocked by Lux (46’). Depor could have scored the second goal at minute 54, it was a corner-kick that Andone headed into the far post, but Cuellar made the saved sending the ball into a new corner-kick.

Çolak continued to be the best player on the field, in only fifteen minutes he was fouled three times and completed a shot that went over the crossbar (59’). Then he had a new attempt that went close to the post (63’). Sporting found some cracks at Depor’s defence during a couple of counterattacks, so the tension of the narrow score continued despite the few chances to score.

And Sporting tied the game in one of those distractions. It was a corner-kick from the right that was sent into the path of Sergio Álvarez, who headed the ball backwards at the near post, it turned into a volley that passed over Lux. It was a distraction of the defence as three men were standing before him.

Garitano reacted allowing the entry of Ryan Babel for Marlos Moreno. The Colombian was too hurried in the game and Depor needed fresh air. Sporting gave up and only tried to held the score, while a desperate Deportivo tried without the needed aim. The fans recalled past games with Sporting and also the previous loss with Leganés.

But the players didn’t surrender and Bruno Gama (76’) and Andone (82’) had attempts to score that were saved by Cuellar. Guilherme replaced a tired Celso Borges and Deportivo found the deserved goal at the last minute. In an attack on the right wing, the ball was passed to Çolak, who was at the edge of the area and he made a short past to Ryan Babel at the left corner, the Dutchman eluded a rival and released a strong and low shot that hit the far post of Cuellar to later end at the back of the net.

AFTER THE GAMEBig win for Deportivo, this time the team pushed at the final minutes and got a deserved reward. Emre Çolak was the best player and Ryan Babel the hero with a late strike that meant three points and the second win on the season.

Depor will now remain at mid-table. There’s a break in la liga due to the international action. The Galicians will play the next game visiting FC Barcelona (Saturday October 15, 16h15 CET).